Why wasn't it perfect?
Problems and limitations
GPS limitations
Access problems
ID problems
Unmeasureable aims
Planned absence of planning
Problems and limitations
GPS limitations
Access problems
ID problems
Unmeasureable aims
Planned absence of planning
The accuracy of the GPS was a limitation, but the 8 figure readings were shown by the perimeter records to be acceptable for the mapping scale. The exceptions were the gullies and dense woodland, particularly in summer, where readings were not reliable. The 10 figure readings had some validity in open areas, but did not enable a plant to be refound within the square metre that the 10 figures imply.
Access to some of the woodland was limited by steep muddy slopes.
As detailed elsewhere, difficulties with ID for some species made the records incomplete. It might have been better to concentrate on more precise records for fewer species.
There was no simple way of measuring the success of some of the aims, such as how much people enjoyed themselves.
The ad hoc nature of the recording routes means that it is impossible to assess how complete the information is for any species. Each record is valid in its own right, but any comparison between species is difficult because inevitably some are more fully recorded than others. Similarly, for species selection the idea was to take advantage of good weather and offers of help and enjoy the recording without deadlines or targets. But choosing species such as Somerset Notables would have been more useful while still enabling flexibility.
Access to some of the woodland was limited by steep muddy slopes.
As detailed elsewhere, difficulties with ID for some species made the records incomplete. It might have been better to concentrate on more precise records for fewer species.
There was no simple way of measuring the success of some of the aims, such as how much people enjoyed themselves.
The ad hoc nature of the recording routes means that it is impossible to assess how complete the information is for any species. Each record is valid in its own right, but any comparison between species is difficult because inevitably some are more fully recorded than others. Similarly, for species selection the idea was to take advantage of good weather and offers of help and enjoy the recording without deadlines or targets. But choosing species such as Somerset Notables would have been more useful while still enabling flexibility.